✨ Introduction
If you want to experience authentic Korean food culture, you can’t miss Seoul’s traditional wholesale markets.
- Garak Market (가락시장) → Korea’s largest agricultural & seafood market
- Noryangjin Fish Market (노량진수산시장) → Seoul’s most famous seafood & sashimi paradise
Here, you can:
✅ Watch live seafood auctions
✅ Eat super fresh raw fish (sashimi) at unbeatable prices
✅ See the lively, real Korea beyond touristy spots
Let’s dive into what makes these two markets special, how to get there, and what you should definitely try!
🦑 1. Noryangjin Fish Market – Seoul’s Seafood Paradise
📍 Location & How to Get There
- Address: 674 Nodeul-ro, Dongjak-gu, Seoul
- Subway: Line 1 → Noryangjin Station (Exit 7, 5 min walk)
🐠 What Makes Noryangjin Special?
- It’s the most famous seafood market in Seoul, open 24/7.
- You’ll find tanks full of live fish, crabs, shellfish—everything straight from the ocean.
- You can buy seafood downstairs and have it prepared upstairs in a restaurant instantly.
💡 Tip: You can haggle a little for prices—vendors expect it!
🍣 Must-Try Experience: Sashimi (회)
- Pick your fish → Flounder, salmon, tuna, sea bream
- Get it sliced fresh → Eat super fresh raw fish with Korean condiments like gochujang (spicy sauce) & ssamjang
- Bonus → Many restaurants give free spicy fish soup (매운탕) after sashimi
💰 Price Example:
- Flounder sashimi for 2–3 people = around 30,000–50,000 KRW → much cheaper than restaurants in Gangnam or Hongdae.
🦀 Auction Scene (for early birds!)
Want to see something really local?
- Arrive around 3–4 AM → You’ll see the seafood auction for professional buyers.
- It’s loud, chaotic, and pure Korean energy!
🎬 In Movies & Dramas
- “The Man from Nowhere” (아저씨) → A tense fight scene was filmed here.
- “Gourmet (식객)” drama → Showcased the market’s vibrant seafood stalls.
🥬 2. Garak Market – The Heart of Korean Wholesale
📍 Location & How to Get There
- Address: 932 Yangjae-daero, Songpa-gu, Seoul
- Subway: Line 3/8 → Garak Market Station (Exit 1, 2 min walk)
🏬 What Makes Garak Market Special?
- It’s Korea’s largest wholesale market, selling:
✅ Fresh vegetables & fruits
✅ Meat & seafood
✅ Street snacks & small restaurants - It’s less touristy than Noryangjin, so you’ll see more local daily life.
🍣 Seafood at Garak Market
- Similar to Noryangjin, but more wholesale-style pricing.
- You can still buy fish & eat sashimi on-site, but it feels more like a local shopping spot than a tourist attraction.
🥢 Other Foods to Try
- Korean street snacks like tteokbokki (spicy rice cakes)
- Seasonal fruits—try Korean strawberries in winter or cherries in summer
- Freshly made kimchi & banchan (side dishes)
💰 Why It’s Cheaper
Because it’s wholesale, prices are lower than regular supermarkets. Locals come here to buy in bulk.
🎬 In Movies & Dramas
- “Parasite” (기생충) briefly showed a market scene inspired by Garak Market’s atmosphere.
- Many Korean variety shows (like “Running Man”) have filmed missions here, showing its massive scale.
🐟 Garak vs Noryangjin – Which Should You Visit?
Feature Noryangjin Fish Market Garak Market
| Main Focus | Seafood & sashimi | All food (veg, fruit, seafood) |
| Tourist Appeal | Very popular | More local vibe |
| On-site Dining | Many sashimi restaurants | Fewer, but still available |
| Auction Scene | Famous 3–4 AM fish auction | Less dramatic, more wholesale |
| Location | Closer to central Seoul | Songpa (near Lotte Tower) |
🏞 Nearby Attractions
✅ Near Noryangjin
- Nodeul Island (Han River cultural space)
- Yeouido Hangang Park
✅ Near Garak Market
- Lotte World Tower & Seokchon Lake
- Olympic Park
💡 Pro Tips for Visiting
- Bring cash → Some vendors don’t take cards
- Go early morning for the freshest seafood
- Ask for set menus → Vendors usually suggest a good combo
- Don’t wear fancy clothes → It’s a wet market!
🌟 Why You Shouldn’t Miss These Markets
Visiting Noryangjin and Garak Market isn’t just about eating cheap, fresh seafood. It’s a window into Korean daily life:
- The energy of bargaining vendors
- The unique sound of auctions
- The flavors of Korea, unfiltered
And nothing beats the feeling of choosing a live fish, watching it sliced in front of you, and enjoying sashimi within minutes—a truly Korean-style foodie experience.
🎬 Quick Recap
- Noryangjin Fish Market → Famous for sashimi, tourist-friendly, auction scene
- Garak Market → Huge wholesale market, more local vibe, cheap produce & seafood
- Both offer fresh Korean seafood, cultural charm, and authentic market life.
